Back to School

This entry is a little late but I thought it was worth posting anyway. Two weeks ago, I started school again. I've decided to go back and study Latinamerican Literature. This semester I'm taking 4 classes, 3 graduate courses and a teaching instruction course. I've really enjoyed the first couple of weeks so far. I'm surprised that my Spanish hasn't worsened from not being in school for about a year. I'm taking a class about the Nobel Prize authors from Spain and Latin America and a class dedicated to the Mexican author, Elena Garro. I'm especially enjoying the Elena Garro course. In the next couple of weeks I will also be taking a one week course dedicated to Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. It's going to be a taught by a visiting professor, Sara Poot Herrera from UC-Santa Barbara. I'm excited about that.
I was really nervous coming back to school this semester but I feel much better. I like my courses and my professors. I also know a few people in my classes which makes things a little easier. While in the library last week, I saw a few kids taking practice LSAT tests and I didn't miss it at all. I've made the right decision in not choosing law school but instead doing something that I'll really enjoy.

Okkervil River Concert

This is a video from the Austin, Texas band, Okkervil River. Beckie and I saw them play on Wednesday in Salt Lake. There's nothing much better than 8$ concerts, especially from bands you really enjoy. We had a good time listening to the passionate lyrics and playing of Will Sheff and bandmates. We recommend their latest cd, The Stage Names, along with their previous album, Black Sheep Boy.

The Final Mouse Update

Yes, this is the final mouse update. You know what that means, the mouse is dead and the carcass has been found. There are a few more things worthy of mention. On Tuesday, I got to work around 12 because I had class in the morning. My boss tells me that Nathan, the technician had come earlier to look at the printer more, and that upon removing more of the components, found two live mouse babies. I was totally grossed out. The babies were still alive and in the trash can. I couldn't do anything except throw them out into the dumpster.
On Tuesday, a smell of death started to permeate through the back. The mouse was dead. But, we could not find it. Finally, a co-worker found the dead mouse in the adjacent room to my desk, where we have the cleaning supplies and tools. We got rid of it and the smell was soon gone. I was thankful for that. I thought that was the end of the mouse saga until today.
The technician came again this morning to replace a few wires that had been chewed on by the mouse. He took apart more of the printer and made a discovery, and hopefully the last discovery we'll have. A dead mouse baby. It had this very distinct stink to it. Very gross.
The mouse saga is over, well, until the next mouse comes along and decides to have offspring inside our printer. A very odd couple weeks and I'm glad it's over. Maybe I can now start doing my real job.

Mouse Update: Friday August 31st

I thought I would give everyone an update on the mouse living in my printer. A couple of days ago we put out several blocks that contain mouse poison in them. Yesterday, I found that a couple had been chewed on but still no sign of the mouse. My boss put out a trap with peanut butter on it and this morning the peanut butter was gone. The trap hadn't gone off. Either the trap was defective or we are dealing with a very smart mouse. I've heard him quite a bit in the past few days. I'm not sure if he is being extra vocal or because I know he is in there, my ears are ultra-sensitive. Let's just hope that the cubes work and we see a dead mouse very soon.

The New Dream Team

The 1992 Olympic Gold Medal USA basketball team was probable the best ever. No team had ever dominated so much. But, what do you expect with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, and a roster full of hall of famers? Ever since the 2002 olympics where the US team was dominated by Argentina in the Olympics they've never looked the same. Was the world getting better or was US basketball getting worse? This is the question that many are still asking today. Right now in Las Vegas the US team is participating in Olympic qualifying against teams from the Americas. They've looked dominate and many are thinking that this may be the team that gets the US the gold medal again. What is the difference this time? First of all, Kobe Bryant is on the team for the first time. He brings the intensity, leadership and defense that this team needs. We also have a true point guard in Jason Kidd. Last of all, we have some shooters, Michael Redd and Mike Miller, two of the best shooters in the NBA. I'm really excited about this team. Along with the players previously mentioned, we have 'Melo, Lebron, Amare, Dwight Howard, and Tyson Chandler. I'm confident that this team will bring the USA what is rightfully theirs. Here is a video of the original Dream Team and one of the new team against Brazil.

Unwanted Neighbor

The most interesting and quite gross thing happened at work yesterday. The printer technician came in the morning to check out a problem with our printer. He opened the printer and to his surprise, saw the head of a mouse peaking out of the inside. He saw it once again before it disappeared for the day. I didn't see it but saw some of the wires it had chewed on. According to the technician, there were signs that it had been in there for quite some time. Kind of creepy. I was sent to a local farming store to get some mice bait and then planted that in various parts of the warehouse. There is still no sign of the mouse but hopefully he has stopped living in our printer.

Manufactured Landscapes

Last Saturday Beckie and I went to the Broadway Theater in Salt Lake and saw the documentary Manufactured Landscapes. This documentary is based on the photography of edward burtynsky. His photos are aimed at showing the effects of industry and globalization on nature and the environment. He stated his purpose in photographing these things. He wants the viewer to see the photographs and decide for oneself what is important. The documentary was very well balanced with an absence of any politics. The politics come from the viewer and their thoughts and beliefs. There is problem many of us face. We care about the environment but we are not willing to give up the luxuries we enjoy. We have to find a way to solve this problem according to our beliefs and values. I recommend the photography of edward burtynsky and this documentary. If you have the opportunity, go see it.

It's Been Awhile

It's been awhile since I last posted something on this blog. Work has been crazy and I haven't been at my desk for very long periods of time. I have some time now to make a post though. I don't have much to write. Beckie has included most of the things we have been doing with our lives, including our trip to San Francisco. Although, I didn't fall in love with the city, our trip was great fun. It's the first time either of us have been to Northern California. I especially liked the time spent with the family, and especially the little one. One of the other reasons I was excited about our trip to San Francisco was the prospect of visiting Amoeba records, the largest independent record store in the country. A place where you can find anything you like, not just the popular radio tracks. The only record store we have in Utah County is FYE, which is not exactly a record store but more of a media store. Amoeba was about 4-5 blocks from Haight & Ashbury on Haight St. A very interesting neighborhood. You could still see the hippy influence in nearly every shop. When we walked into Amoeba it was like stepping into the past and the future at once, another world even. The vinyl on the walls, the rows and rows of cd's, the posters covering every inch of wall, and everything I was looking for. We even saw singer/songwriter John Vanderslice, who did a in-store performance that afternoon. Here is a video of one of my favorite songs of his, Exodus Damage.



Well, after a couple of trips to Amoeba, I was very happy for what I had found. Thank you beckie for bearing with me and thanks emily for taking me a second time. You are all too nice. I look forward to maybe going to the Hollywood store after Christmas while we are in So. California.

Fat Cat

I think the picture and article speak for themselves.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=473581&in_page_id=1770

And they say football players are tough

I saw this clip last week and was pretty stunned. This fall shows just how tough skateboarders and extreme athletes are. Crazy

Fun with Photo Booth

Probably the most fun that Beckie and I have with our new computer is Photo Booth. You can take pictures of yourself using an array of colors and effects. The results are quite funny sometimes. I love just trying to come up with the craziest thing possible. Here are some of the them.

The National

In less than two weeks, Beckie and I will be in San Francisco to visit some family and to see a city neither of us have seen before. One thing I'm especially excited about is Amoeba Music, the largest independent music store in the US. The first thing I'm going to buy is the new National album, Boxer. I fell in love with their music after their last album, Alligator. I especially love Matt Berninger's vocals. Here is a video of their first single off their new album and a second video of them on the Letterman show. I don't particularly like Letterman, but he definately has some great musical guests.

The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Movie, after many years, has finally arrived in theaters this friday. But Why am I not that excited to see it? The Simpsons was always one of my favorite shows. But, something happened. Right around the 12 or 13th season, it became less funny. I haven't watched a new Simpsons episode in a very long time. They aren't as funny as they used to be. When I was a kid I could watch it twice a day on tv during the weekdays and 3 times on sundays. Sadly, I did this often. I probably will go see the new Simpsons movie because, well, it's the Simpsons. But, I'm not expecting much from it.

More Soccer

This will be my last blog on soccer for awhile. Unfortunately, the Argentine National team lost to Brazil in the finals of the Copa America. But, to help us forget this, Argentina won the U-20 World Cup, beating the Czech Republic in the final. Sergio Aguero was the player of the tournament scoring 6 goals. We now have something to be happy about.

Aguero's goals against Poland. Incredible!



One of the best goals of the tournament. Aguero free kick against South Korea.

Argentina vs. Mexico

Last night Argentina played Mexico in the semifinals of the Copa America, the largest tournament in South America between nations. Argentina came in the favorite of the tournament and has proved to be so. Last night Beckie and I, along with the Gallegos' watched the game on a large screen at Beckie's work. Argentina started slow but came out and dominated the second half highlighted by this incredible goal by Leo Messi. It's much more difficult than it looks. The other goals scored by Gabriel Heinze and Riquelme were brilliant as well. We play Brazil on Sunday for the final.

Snow in Buenos Aires

I always check out what is going on in Argentina concerning futbol, politics, and even weather. I checked Clarin, one of the largest newspapers in Argentina, when I came across this cover. It's snow in Buenos Aires! It hasn't snowed in nearly 90 years in Argentina's largest city. I wish I could have been there and seen the amazement on their faces and the fun they had playing in it.

New Animal Collective video - Fireworks

Books on Cd

This time of year isn't the busy season at work. I spend a lot of time at the computer making orders and occasionally making some products. I listen to a lot of podcasts, mostly from espn but decided I wanted to try something different. Why not listen to a book while at work. So, the first book I decided to get was the the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, which I've never read previously. I'm enjoying a lot and it makes my days go a little quicker.

Boca Campeon

Yes, I love Argentine Soccer. Boca Juniors won the Copa Libertadores (South American Club Championship) Wednesday in Porto Alegre, Brazil beating Gremio 2-0. Riquelme scored both goals and will be sorely missed. Here is the headline of the biggest argentine sports newspaper and a video of all of Boca's goals in the tournament. Riquelme had 8 in the tournament.

80's Music videos speak for themselves

The Smiths - Stop If you think you've heard this one before
Talking Heads - Once In a Lifetime
A-Ha - Take on Me